Shloka 5
आस्तीक-उपाख्यान-प्रस्तावः | Introduction to the Āstīka Narrative
Devanagari script
शौनक उवाच श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यशेषेण कथामेतां मनोरमाम्
Transliteration
Śaunaka uvāca: śrotum icchāmy aśeṣeṇa kathām etāṁ manoramām.
Translation
శౌనకుడు అన్నాడు—ఈ మనోహరమైన కథను ఏదీ మిగలకుండా సంపూర్ణంగా వినాలని నేను కోరుతున్నాను.
Word by Word
शौनकःShaunaka
शौनकः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootशौनक
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
उवाचsaid
उवाच:
TypeVerb
Rootवच्
FormPerfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Singular
श्रोतुम्to hear
श्रोतुम्:
TypeVerb
Rootश्रु
FormInfinitive (Tumun)
इच्छामिI desire / I wish
इच्छामि:
TypeVerb
Rootइष्
FormPresent (Laṭ), 1st, Singular
अशेषेणcompletely, without remainder
अशेषेण:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootअशेष
FormMasculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular
कथाम्story, narration
कथाम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootकथा
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
एताम्this
एताम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootएतद्
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
मनोरमाम्delightful, charming
मनोरमाम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootमनोरम
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
Speaker
शौनक उवाच
Characters & Entities
श
शौनक (Śaunaka)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and pedagogical value of attentive, complete listening (śravaṇa) to sacred history (itihāsa). A sincere request to hear “without omission” underscores respect for tradition and the responsibility to receive teachings carefully and in their full context.
In the framing dialogue of the Mahābhārata, the sage Śaunaka expresses his desire to hear the story fully. This sets the stage for the narrator to continue the account in a comprehensive manner.